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Why is Thanksgiving an important day?
The tradition started with the 'Pilgrim Fathers'. They were the founders of a colony in North America. There people were Puritans. They were against the Church of England, and suffered religious persecution in England. They wanted to start a new life in a new country.
Eventually, on 6 September 1620, 102 men, women and children left Plymouth in south-west England on a ship called the Mayflower.The voyage was difficult; two pilgrims died, but two were born. On December 11 1620, they landed on the north-east coast of North America. They called this area Plymouth. It was almost winter and there wasn't much food. They immediately built small houses, but it was too late to grow crops. The winter was very long and cold and half of the Pilgrims died.
In the spring a native American called Squanto helped the Pilgrims. He taught them how to grow corn and how to hunt and fish. Soon the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag native Americans became friends. The Pilgrims grew crops and the summer harvest was excellent. By November 1621 everyone had food and a home. There was hope for the future.
William Bradford was the governor of the Pilgrim's colony. He decided to celebrate with a dinner for the Pilgrims and about ninety native Americans. He wanted to thank God. This was the first Thanksgiving dinner and it continued for three days.